Environment and Climate Change (ECC) is launching a new interactive website that will seek the input from Canadians on how best to address climate change and promote clean growth.

The website is being launched as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in New York to sign the Paris Climate Accord, reached in the France capital in December. ECC minister Catherine McKenna will be at the signing ceremony.

"Engaging Canadians on our plans and efforts to address climate change is something I view as essential, and I hope that Canadians from coast to coast to coast will take part in our efforts to create a climatesmart economy and country,” said McKenna.

This engagement tool will allow Canadians to be part of a national conversation on climate change, share their ideas and see what others are saying. This is an opportunity to provide feedback on what individuals, families, organizations, communities, businesses and governments can do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

Engaging the public is an essential part of developing a Canadian plan on clean growth and climate change, and builds on the Vancouver Declaration adopted by First Ministers at their meeting on March 3, 2016.

Submissions will be reviewed by the four working groups established at the First Ministers’ meeting earlier this year. Each group will provide recommendations to the federal government on a number of themes, including how and where to reduce emissions; ideas for new innovation, technology and job creation; how to put a price on carbon; and preparing for the impacts of climate change.

Canadians are encouraged to submit ideas online by June 1, 2016, in order for them to be reviewed by working group members. However, it should be noted that the Government of Canada will continue to accept ideas after this date.

The website will also offer Canadians the tools they need to hold town halls to engage their communities from the grassroots.

Submissions can be made online at www.canada.ca/climateaction.